Interesting write up.  I have seen some of them while I was in South Africa
a few years ago.  Some real nice colors.  And they were not only expensive
but there were very few for sale.
Zoltan

----- Original Message -----
From: "Andrew Grebneff" <goose1047@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, November 11, 2009 7:08 PM
Subject: 93 Microbus arrives: Anyone have a South African ETKA?

> Having just had my silver 93 T3 Microbus 2.5i dropped off (not
> literally, fortunately... that does happen) the truck at home, I'm
> wondering if anyone has the RSA ETKA available for copying. I might
> want to get parts to repair the engine (AAY-series Audi 2.5 five), and
> the NZ VW agent has no listings for this engine.
>
> It is reluctant to start and once running refuses to idle; it runs
> sweetly for a minute or so (but lacking any low-RPM torque
> whatsoever), then loses one cylinder; after a minute or so more it
> loses another and begins to blow oil smoke. Probably just rings, but
> could be a cracked piston or head. But the lack of torque says "badly
> worn rings" to me.
>
> The gearshift reminds me of exactly why I wanted a G50 transmission!
>
> Looking the van over, I see that few external panels are shared with
> the German vans. Even the nose is different:
> -no blank LHD wiper bosses
> -slider has waist-height extension over the rail, with corresponding notch
>   door-opening
> -waist-level slider rail cover panel shorter than German due to notch
> -rear upper corners totally different (due to engine vent redesign)
> -right-rear side panel has no slider track or place for one
> -therefore no track cover panel on right
> -cargo-bay side windows extend about 30mm lower
> -no "windowsill" below cargo-bay side windows, giving much more
>   modern look
> -dash totally different apart from instrument binnacle
> -HVAC controls are 3 rotary switches; not good, but better than German
> -folding third-place seat on middle bench; great for rear-seat access and
>   makes bus an 8-seater
> - engine deck about 10cm higher  than boxer-engined vans
>
> External parts the same as German:
> -tailgate
> -cab doors
> -roof
> -probably sills, bumper structure
> -rear panel
>
> Bumpers are black-painted steel with endcaps which wrap around the
> body corners. There are no side body-moldings/cladding. It has factory
> aluminum 14" wheels, which will eventually go on the 84 Caravelle for
> sale, as probably will the 2.5i engine.
>
> I'm going over it with a camera to snap the differences.
>
> I will swap bits between it and the 84; particularly the seats, which
> are very nice in the 84 (blue/check velor, contoured,  with armrests
> all round) and plain-jane in the 93 (gray tweed, flat and with no
> armrests). I'll cut the folding seat mount off the center bench and
> adapt it to bolt onto the Caravelle middle seat.
>
> The only rust is a hole in the middle of the driver's (right!) door,
> where I guess the window mechanism presses against the skin and
> trapped water. This and the scrape damage to both rear wheelarches are
> the only blemishes, and will be fixed at some stage. Otherwise it
> looks VERY smart!
>
> It has factory alarm & immobilizer.
>
> I'm thinking of naming it the "Flying Wedge" after what some Poms call
> T3s... though there's nothing wedgelike about these vans.
>
> --
> Regards
> Andrew Grebneff
> Dunedin
> New Zealand
> Fossil preparator
> Molluc, Toyota & VW van fan

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